Queen regnant - Definition and Overview

The term queen regnant refers to a female monarch. In contrast with a queen consort, who is merely the spouse of a reigning king with no official power of her own, a queen regnant possesses all the monarchal powers that a king would have, without regard to gender.

Queens regnant are created when the order of succession of the country allows for it. Traditionally, the title of monarch passes from a king to his eldest son, or if there is no son, to his closest male relative. Some countries such as the United Kingdom allow the eldest daughter of a monarch to become queen regnant if a monarch has no sons. Other countries such as Norway, Sweden, Belgium, and the Netherlands allow the eldest child, regardless of gender, to succeed to the throne.

See also

• Monarch
• Queen consort
• Order of succession

Example Usage of regnant